84% Of iPhone Users Plan To Stay Loyal To iOS

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Last week Gartner reported that Android doubled its market share year-over-year, while Apple experienced a decline at 15%, compared to the previous quarter. Despite that fact, a report from research company GfK (via Reuters) states that iPhone users are more likely to show loyalty to iOS by buying another iPhone when upgrading their smartphone.

According to the GfK’s research, 84% of iPhone owners said they would upgrade to another iPhone, compared to just 69% of Android owners who would pick up another Android smartphone. As for RIM, only 48% of users would stay loyal to a Blackberry. GfK said:

“The scope for brands to lure customers from rivals has diminished and the richest rewards will go to those providers that can create the most harmonious user experience and develop this brand loyalty”.

Among the reasons for switching 33% of users included in the research mention not wanting to change features and apps associated with their smartphone. Also 29% of consumers don’t want to learn how to work with another type of smartphone and 28% don’t want to move their content from one device to another.

Also the GfK claims that its research finds the more apps and services smartphone owners use on the device the less likely they plan on switching brands. So Apple’s vast ecosystem including more than 500,000 apps and closely integrated services are definitely contributing to creating strong brand loyalty among its customers. In Q4 earnings call Apple announced 180 million iBookstore downloads, 18 billion App Store downloads and 16 billion songs was downloaded from iTunes over the fourth quarter.